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Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan for Teens: Silk Roads, Skylines, and Stories Untold — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Journey through Kazakhstan’s past and future, from Soviet-era memory to Silk Road flavors and mountain skylines. A weeklong journey for curious teens.

Step Into the Unknown: A Teen Journey Across Kazakhstan

You may have heard of Kazakhstan from a certain movie. This week, you’ll experience the real thing.

Modern skylines. Quiet forests. Old stories still being told.

You’ll walk through cities that look to the future, and step into places shaped by the past. You’ll eat new foods, meet new people, and maybe surprise yourself.

This trip isn’t about checking off your travel boxes but rather about noticing what you hadn’t seen before.

 

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 7-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Arrival in Astana

You land in the capital. The sky feels bigger here – blue, immense. The air is crisper than what you’re used to. After lunch, you’ll walk through Khan Shatyr; it’s part shopping mall, part spaceship. Then cross into Lovers Park. True romantic love isn’t required; it’s a place where families stroll and fountains shine. Baiterek Tower stands tall in the city center. At the top, you’ll see Astana’s strange symmetry from above. Later, you’ll ride a mini bus to visit the Hazrat Sultan Mosque and the National Museum. Two nights in a nearby hotel. Dinner on foot, under cool spring skies.
2

Karaganda

After breakfast, a long ride south. The land is flat and open. There’s not much to see, and somehow, it’s still a lot. Karaganda grew as a mining city. Its most powerful stories live in the Karlag Museum, once the site of a Soviet labor camp. There, you’ll see photos, letters, and belongings from people who were imprisoned. It’s a hard visit. It should be. On the way back, we’ll stop for coffee. Even “I’m Restaurant” (formerly known as McDonald’s) can feel familiar after a heavy afternoon. Dinner along the road. Return to Astana by night.
3

Almaty

A short mid-morning flight takes you to Almaty; it’s a city at the foot of the mountains. We’ll check into a hotel downtown, or a quieter homestay nearby, depending on the size of the group. Ride the cable car up Kok-Tobe Hill. From the top, you’ll see green trees below and snowy peaks beyond. In the afternoon, visit the Sunkar Raptor Center. Watch falcons and eagles in flight. This is an old tradition here. Dinner back in the city. Hot tea. Lagman noodles. They’re delicious.
4

Zharkent and the Silk Road

Today’s drive follows part of the old Silk Road. In Zharkent, you’ll taste Uyghur food and visit a mosque, a Buddhist temple, and a sacred tree. They are reminders that this region has always been a crossroads, the melting pot before melting pot was a term. On the way back, you’ll stop in a forest to look for wild apples. These are ancestors of every apple you’ve ever eaten. Almaty is the city of apples, and they traveled down this ancient road like almost everything else.
5

Gold and Green

Start slowly. Visit the pastel-colored Ascension Cathedral, then walk through Guards Park. At the Green Bazaar, you’ll hear vendors calling out prices. You can try samsa, kebabs, or horse milk, if you’re feeling bold. Try to haggle. You’ll lose and you’ll enjoy it. In the afternoon, visit the Golden Man at the Esik Museum; he’s a warrior buried in gold, the equivalent of King Tut but with far less fanfare. Then stop by an orchard to see where apples are grown today. Dinner in Esik. Then return to Almaty under a quiet sky.
6

Into the Mountains

Take the cable car to Shymbulak, Almaty’s mountain resort. The air changes as you go up. It’s colder and sharper up there. Pack for a picnic on the hill, just like the locals. Spend the afternoon walking through alpine trails. This is a different Kazakhstan. Still. Crisp with peaks that feel close and far at the same time. Dinner back in the city. Khachapuri, grilled meat, something sweet.
7

Departure

One last breakfast. Maybe one last walk. Then it’s time to go. You’ll leave with the dust of the steppe on your shoes and the spirit of the Kazakh people in your heart. Kazakhstan stays with you. Not loud. But steady.

Total: 7 calendar days. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Kazakhstan

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Kazakhstan offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Kazakhstan Asia Cultural Immersion
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